Lichens of Pierce Point Ranch

Lichens are found all around us, growing in nearly every habitat and on almost any surface. However, these ubiquitous organisms are commonly overlooked. Shelly Benson, president of the California Lichen Society, will explain this fascinating fungal-algal relationship known as the lichen. In this class you will learn what lichens are and the basic skills for differentiating and identifying them. We will examine the different lichen growth forms and a variety of diagnostic lichen structures. After a classroom lecture, we’ll drive out to Pierce Point, which will serve as our field laboratory. The old, wood fences at this historic ranch host a diverse lichen community. You will gain experience using a dichotomous key to identify the lichens of Pierce Point Ranch.

To register for this class please visit the Point Reyes Field Institute webpage. (http://www.ptreyes.org/fieldinstitute/classlistnaturalworld.shtml)

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